“Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt. 2 There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. 3 “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”” Exodus 16:1-3 NLT
““Give us water to drink!” they demanded. “Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?” 3 But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?”” Exodus 17:2-3 NLT
Father God,
They had forgotten how tough it was as slaves in Egypt. They had forgotten all the miracles You performed and that You kept them from suffering the plagues and none of their first born died . . . they had forgotten that You had promised to lead them to the promised land alive!
How true the scripture which says, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. And whether they gathered a little manna or a lot each had exactly what they needed (Exodus16:17). You know what we need.
When our lives feel dry and we find ourselves hungry for direction or what to feed on – help us turn to You first to be fed on the truth and refreshed by Your Spirit. It is easier to grumble sometimes, rather than acknowledge where we are and look for what we need to You. Give us grace to persevere.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 12th February 2025
Time to relax in a traditional hymn which often comes to my mind . . .
Famous Welsh hymn writer William Williams wrote the Welsh hymn ‘Arglwydd, arwain trwy’r anialwch’ (Lord, lead me through the wilderness), in around 1762. Less than 10 years later it was translated into English by Peter Williams and became known as ‘Guide me, o thou great redeemer’. The tune Cwm Rhondda was written by John Hughes in 1905.
Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
be Thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to Thee,
I will ever give to Thee.
Lyrics: William Williams translated by Peter Williams